Inferno

Engaging 'desert noir'
It's a disadvantage in not seeing this film in it's original 3-D.
But even as a 2-D character thriller, it's pretty effective in a
B-movie way.

In its time, it wasn't seen as a B-movie, with the high end 3D process,
and being one of the first films in stereo. But seeing it as a B-movie
now gives a better feel for its strengths (which are considerable) and
forgiveness for it's weaknesses.

A man with a broken leg has been left to die out in the Mojave desert
by his wife and her younger lover. While this couple 's actions are
clearly unforgivable, the man they abandon isn't particularly
sympathetic himself. As played by Robert Ryan he's a wealthy, selfish
spoiled brat, used to having things on his terms, not caring much for
the feelings of others. I admired the film's bravery in having such a
hard to like anti-hero, and still succeeding in getting us caught up in
his struggle to survive. (If this were made...

Beautiful technicolor print.
Finally, 20th Century Fox has released an official region 1 version of "Inferno". And it is a very nice technicolor print, in it's original aspect ratio of 1.37: 1. Others can debate as to whether or not a technicolor film can be a film noir, I'll just enjoy for what it is--a fairly straight forward story an unfaithful wife (Rhonda Fleming) and her lover (William Lundigan) trying to kill her wealthy, drunkard of a husband (Robert Ryan). And as a bonus, Rhonda Fleming looks gorgeous in technicolor.

Original Concept
An actor who thinks his lines; we hear his thoughts,
crawling through the desert and rocks, so we are closer to it and experience it,
with a determination and craftiness to live, exploding from his mind.
It was only vauge memory from so long ago, and I only saw a part of it but knew that it was Robert Ryan;
So, today every movie an actor ever made is listed but you are lucky if someone has it.
I thought the idea was wild and stuck in my impressionable mind.
I like prospecting for this gold, that has such strong feelings from my past, too.

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